Known as a powerful singer who “embodies the soul projected through her voice” and “palpably lives the sound”, Toronto-based contralto, Alexandra “Ali” Garrison, dares to sing many styles of great music from around our dear planet.
A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music Vocal Performance Program, she has performed a huge variety of operatic/theatrical roles with regional companies and is a frequent concert soloist with numerous ensembles and choirs in Canada and the U.S. She travels internationally to teach, collaborate and sing, working in tandem with artists, improvisers and composers to foster new works and promote music for a more harmonious world. She has had many works composed specifically for her by numerous composers and has been in residence as a voice teacher at Summerkeys in Lubec, Maine and at Universidad de Valle del Guatemala in Guatemala City and Soledad.
Ali is a proud founding alumnus and soloist with the renowned Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and as such, toured extensively, performing for such luminaries as Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel, Muhammad Ali, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Jesse Norman, Kathleen Battle, Stephen Lewis and was privileged to be Canada’s “gift” to President Obama’s 2009 Inauguration festivities. It was for this trail-blazing ensemble that she co-wrote the education series, Canaan Lan’ and was on faculty for their Youth Training Programs
For her 50th birthday, Ali decided, after singing on everyone else’s recordings for years, that it was high time to produce her own first solo EP, entitled, Ali Garrison Sings Michel Legrand: The Summer Knows, with Danny McErlain, pianist. Visit iTunes to purchase her EP and take Ali home with you, here!
In 2022, Ali joined the cast and crew of the award winning Canadian Independent Feature Film, Really Happy Someday (IMDb 2024), in the role of Shelly, the protagonist’s vocal coach. The film has gone on to win accolades and awards at TIFF, BIFF, WIFF, Calgary, Whistler, Inside Out FF,
Ms. Garrison has been teaching voice privately in her Toronto voice studio since 1997 as well as leading and facilitating vocal clinics in voice and body work for both ensemble singers and soloists; freeing our imaginations and our sound; The intersection of creativity, art and philosophy; free musical improvisation; advocacy for the arts and social justice. She is a member of ACTRA, and a Gemini Award winner.
This summer, Ali will be playing a role in Justice for Maurice Henry Carter at Toronto Fringe Festival as well as acting as assistant music director for the cast of Nicole Brooks’ Obeah Opera for the second year in a row.
For more information about ongoing projects click here
Ali Garrison: from The Vault. Photo by David C. Garrison